Authorities try to discover if slayings related

STOCKTON - Authorities are seeking additional information on the murder of Armando Pina after receiving a series of "strong and credible" tips suggesting his killers may have been involved in other homicides in Stockton, police said.

STOCKTON - Authorities are seeking additional information on the murder of Armando Pina after receiving a series of "strong and credible" tips suggesting his killers may have been involved in other homicides in Stockton, police said.

Pina, 60, was shot and killed by two men who stole his gold necklace Sept. 17 at Victory Park. The assailants, who were described as possibly being in their teens to mid-20s, fled south on Columbia Avenue, police said.

Anonymous tipsters have told authorities the killers committed other homicides around the same time last year, said Officer Joe Silva, a spokesman for the Stockton Police Department.

"This was a brazen attack that happened to a man who was walking through a park," Silva said. "Several tips came in via Crime Stoppers recently stating that the suspects responsible for Mr. Pina's homicide were responsible for several other unsolved homicides around the same time, so we want to keep that open dialogue with these tipsters or anyone else that has information in regards to Mr. Pina's homicide. If tipsters are reporting that these suspects are involved in other homicides, we need to get them quickly so they don't hurt anyone else."

Authorities are encouraging anyone with information to call the Stockton Police Department at (209) 937-8377, the Investigations Unit at (209) 937-8323 or Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards up to $10,000. Callers can remain anonymous.